Turkey's top religious body claims IVF between unmarried people is 'adultery'

Embryologist Ric Ross holds a dish with human embryos at the La Jolla IVF Clinic on February 28, 2007 in La Jolla, California. Turkey's highest religious body says IVF is only allowed if the sperm and ovum belong to a married couple and there is no surrogate.Getty Images

The Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) said in a statement that in vitro fertilization between unmarried people offended "humane feelings", according to Hurriyet Daily News.

An in vitro fertilisation process that starts and finalises between individuals who not de facto married is religiously not acceptable as it offends humane feelings and contains elements of adultery.

- Directorate of Religious Affairs, Turkey

Diyanet was established in 1924 to provide knowledge on Islam and answer queries regarding the Islamic lifestyle.

In their statement, Diyanet said IVF was permissible as long as the sperm and the ovum belonged to a married couple and the fertilized egg is not implanted "inside a stranger's womb".

"An in vitro fertilisation process that starts and finalises between individuals who are not de facto married, is religiously not acceptable as it offends humane feelings and contains elements of adultery," read the statement.

Diyanet further stressed that for IVF to be permissible it should be medically proven that the treatment will not have a negative impact on either one of the parents.

Diyanet has also previously condemned tattoos as they "alter creation" and said men should refrain from "using jewellery that is proper for women, because our Prophet ordered," reported The Independent.

The designer duo started a verbal feud with the legendary singer when they labelled babies born via IVF as "synthetic".

Speaking to Italy's Panorama magazine, the designers' said: "The only family is the traditional one. No chemical offspring and rented uterus: life has a natural flow; there are things that should not be changed."

Sir Elton John hit back defending IVF, which enabled him to have two children with his husband David Furnish.

"Shame on you for wagging your judgemental little fingers at IVF – a miracle that has allowed legions of loving people, both straight and gay, to fulfil their dream of having children," Sir John wrote on his Instagram.